Book Discussion Groups

OWN developed, and continues to provide leadership in, several Toronto area book discussion groups. Two are held at branches of the Toronto Public Library, and one at the OWN office; groups meet once a month. Each group decides on format, book selection and time of meeting. Some groups have concentrated on feminist literature (broadly interpreted); others both read fiction and non-fiction. An effort is always made to ensure that there are sufficient copies of a chosen book available in the library system. Since the groups meet in public libraries, which provide free space and publicity, they are open to any interested woman.

The criteria for selecting books vary somewhat from group to group, but include:

* books must be relevant to women’s lives

* books may be current best-sellers or less well-known works of the past or the present

* choices are made based on the interest of the topic and the accessibility of the book so that all members will have the opportunity to read the book before the meeting at which it is discussed

* books vary, generally alternating fiction and non-fiction.

* authors chosen are mainly, but not always, women, with men’s viewpoints on women’s lives sometimes interesting and thought-provoking

Our groups at libraries across the city always welcome new members, and are an interesting way to interact with others in a stimulating environment.

Northern District Contact: Gail Vallance, gailvallance@rogers.com
Meets third Wednesday of the month, 2-4 pm (except Dec., when it is 2nd Wed.)
At Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View (near Eglinton and Yonge), Room 224ABOOK LIST for 2017
Jan. 18: Things I Have Been Silent About: memories, by Azar Nafisi
Feb. 15: Interpreter of Maladies – short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
March 15: My Life on the road, by Gloria Steinem
April 19: Night Stages, by Jane Urquhart
May 17: History’s People: personalities and the past, by Margaret MacMillian
June 21: The Improbability of Love, by Hannah Rothschild
July 19: Ru, by Kim Thuy
Aug. 16: I Shall Be Near You, by Erin Lindsay McCabe
Sept. 20: Call the Midwife, by Jennifer Worths
Oct. 18: The Little Red Chairs, by Edna O’Brien
Nov. 15: Something Fierce – Memoirs of a revolutionary Daughter, by Carmen Aguirre
Dec. 13: Book of Eve, by Constance Beresford-Howe

North York CentralContact: Diane Meaghan, 416-509-5508, diane.meaghan at utoronto.ca
Meets first Wednesday of the month, 1:30-3:30 pm
At North York Central Library, 5120 Yonge St., Room 2

OWN Co-op Contact: Olga Aplin, 416-868-0295.
Meets second Tuesday of the month, 2-4 pm
At OWN Co-op Building, 115 The Esplanade
Potential new members should contact Olga for information and registration.